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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999.02.09 EDA MINUTES-APPROVED CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES FEBRUARY 9, 1999 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Economic Development Authority was held at City Hall, 7516 80th Street South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota on the 9th day of February 1999. 1. CALL TO ORDER • The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. by Mayor Denzer. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Jack Denzer, Glen Kleven, Fred Luden, Dick Pederson, Gerry Weingartner, Jim Wolcott. Members Absent: Donna Boehm. Others Present: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Michelle Wolfe, Assistant City Administrator Neil Belscamper, Secretary 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Kleven moved to approve the January 12, 1999 Economic Development Authority Minutes. Wolcott seconded. Motion carried unanimously. 4.A. INTRODUCTION OF NEW STAFF Wolfe introduced Steve Barrett and Dan King, the new Management Analysts for the City, who will be assisting on Economic Development projects. 4.B. ANNUAL REPORT Wolfe briefly outlined the first draft of the 1998 Economic Development Annual Report, emphasizing that more items were yet to be added. She requested suggestions on the content of the Annual Report. Luden felt that Item 3.2, concerning improved access to the Mississippi River for various commercial and recreational opportunities, was an important topic and should be strongly explored. • • • Economic Development Authority- Minutes February 9, 1999 Page 2 4.C. ANNUAL BUSINESS RECOGNITION BREAKFAST Wolfe displayed a flyer and tentative agenda for the meeting, and requested input from EDA members. She said a lot of the details for the event had already been taken care of. Wolcott asked if businesses from St. Paul Park, and Newport had been invited in addition to those from Cottage Grove, and suggested inviting Planning Commission members and Department Heads from those communities. King replied that 700 invitations had been sent to businesses in Cottage Grove, St. Paul Park, and Newport, in addition to local municipal representatives, Washington County Officials, and State Representatives. Pederson expressed that involving St. Paul Park and Newport in the event was a good idea, but noted that they had been hesitant to participate in Chamber of Commerce events in the past. Wolfe commented that representatives from DTED and the PCA were also invited. The South Washington Cable Commission would be taping the event. 4.D. PROJECT UPDATES Wolfe said there had been little activity since the last meeting. Denzer asked if the new post office annex would be going into the industrial park. Schroeder said it would. Wolcott and Schroeder discussed the possibility of the City optioning more land from the industrial park. 4.E. CHAMBER/CITY COMMUNICATION Wolfe explained that the City would try to participate in some of the Chamber efforts, and that that the Cable Commission would be producing a new monthly segment focusing on economic development. 4.F. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SECTION OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Wolfe stated that the Economic Development Section of the Comprehensive Plan would be presented next month. She noted that there would be some formatting changes to some of the ideas presented by the EDA. 4.G. FISCAL IMPACT STUDY Wolcott questioned the accuracy of the figures presented in the report on the proposed regional park for Grey Cloud Island. Schroeder said he had requested a further breakdown of the figures. Denzer and Weingartner felt that the number of yearly visitors had been overestimated. Denzer asked what sources were used to compile the revenue figures. Schroeder said they were a combination of higher home property taxes, in addition to revenue generated by a marina. Wolcott said a similar study had been done in Lakeville, and asked whether that information could be obtained. Wolfe stated that she would look into it. Wolcott voiced concerns over the data being unrealistic. Pederson commented that there was a lot of information being passed around, and said that figures used in the survey may not be accurate with what local residents really want, taking everything into consideration. He felt that the City should have more control in the process. Wolcott commented that the phrasing of questions in these surveys may have Economic Development Authority- Minutes February 9, 1999 Page 3 skewed the result. Luden said that a survey taken by 3M showed roughly a 50/50 split in support of a major regional park on Grey Cloud Island. Pederson said that many outside entities are making decisions within the City, and felt that the City needs to take a more active role in the decisions. He said that Washington County has more parkland per capita than most Minnesota Counties. Kleven questioned whether the land use on Grey Cloud Island had been considered for many years, or if it had just come up recently. Kleven felt that the public perception of parks is that they are low cost, and suggested publicizing the true cost of such a project. Kleven suggested that an editorial could be presented to the Bulletin and Pioneer Press. Kleven emphasized his concern that some action needed to take place soon. Schroeder noted that there was a bill in the works concerning local input into decisions regarding projects within their bounds. Kleven reiterated that a response was needed by the City, otherwise the public perception would be that the City supports the project. Weingartner suggested that a response letter should come from the EDA. He further suggested that a discussion with Len Price should take place over the issue. Luden thought that distributing information through the Chamber of Commerce would also be a possibility. Wolcott concurred that the Chamber should get involved. 4.H. GOLF OUTING UPDATE Wolfe said a date had been set for the tournament. Denzer commented that he liked the idea of a dinner as opposed to the lunch. Schroeder said that in tournaments he had participated in in the past, developers, new businesses, and contractors had been invited. Wolcott said that the fee was approaching the limit of what people would pay for such an event. Sponsorship for some of the costs was discussed. Weingartner mentioned the idea of using Mississippi Dunes for the event. Denzer felt that the municipal course should be used. Pederson felt that keeping the cost as low as possible, in light of the number of other events held every year, might be necessary for a successful turnout. 4.1. WORK PLAN UPDATE Wolfe presented a written update of the work plan. 5. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS ITEMS None 6. ADJOURN Kleven moved to adjourn. Weingartner seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Neil Belsca ,•� Economic Development Secretary